The best side-step in the GAA?
In the past five months, Tony Brosnan has gone from a talented young player that may have feared his inter-county chances were slipping by to one of the hottest forwards in Ireland.
The Dr. Crokes forward came to prominence back in September when he replaced Kerry legend Colm Cooper at the last-minute to start against An Gaeltacht in a county championship clash. Stepping in for ‘The Gooch’ and filling his boots is no easy ask but Brosnan went on to score 1-14 (1-10 from play).
And so began an impressive run of great performances and scores, with Crokes winning county and provincial titles along the way.
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In club championship semi-finals, at Thurles’ Semple Stadium, Brosnan was the shining light for the Kerrymen after they were rocked by the concession of two goals in the first 20 minutes, and after they lost Johnny Buckley to a red card.
Brosnan had 0-2 before 10 minutes had passed but his third point (second from play) of the day was an absolute gem. Finding himself squeezed by two Mullinalaghta defenders, the Crokes forward brought out a delicious side-step to buy himself a half-yard of space. He got his shot away and Crokes were kept in touch.
Watch the GAANOW Half-Time Highlights as Dr. Crokes lead Mullinalaghta / St. Columba’s in the AIB Club Championship Semi-Final pic.twitter.com/gKAiTK6ttr
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 16, 2019
When he wasn’t side-stepping to score, he was pulling the move out to get away from maroon jerseys to set up teammates for pops at the posts.
David Shaw was the beneficiary on this occasion.
David Shaw with a class point for Dr. Crokes! pic.twitter.com/8OhfljMAC5
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 16, 2019
The first half was a tough one for the prestigious club side from The Kingdom but Brosnan helped keep them in touch with another smart score off his left boot before he left another defender for dead with a side-step and teed up Kieran O’Leary for a score.
As the half ended, a Brosnan-inspired Crokes were 0-11 to 2-3 ahead.
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